News Release

Chiricahua National Monument News Release April 7, 2020

Date: April 7, 2020
Contact: Allen Etheridge
Contact: Matthew Cahill

Chiricahua National Monument Is Modifying Operations To 
Implement Local and State Health Guidance

Willcox, AZ – CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT, in response to Governor Ducey’s Executive Order, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

As of noon, April 9, 2020, Chiricahua National Monument will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Chiricahua, the following services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with the state order: 
 

• The Chiricahua entrance gate will be closed at noon on Thursday April 9, 2020. The road will remain open to bicyclists, and trails will be open to hikers in support of the Stay Healthy provision of Governor Ducey’s Executive Order to slow the spread of COVID 19.
• In addition, all park restrooms will be closed on April 9 and no public facilities are available nearby.
• Visitor facilities including the campground and the visitor center will remain closed.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Chiricahua National Monument is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm and social media channels.  

Outdoor spaces at Chiricahua remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, in addition to entry fees being waived for visitors.  
 

• Trails and landscapes will remain open, and the road will remain available for cyclists (please observe all traffic rules and stay alert for service vehicles). 

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Chiricahua National Monument during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are not available, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.  

The NPS encourages people to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Chiricahua National Monument, including:  
 

• Our videos on Facebook and Instagram, photo galleries on our website, and the extensive information about the cultural and natural history of our site available at www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.